Cholesterol

• Niacin has a positive effect on cholesterol, increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol, and ridding your blood of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol.
  
  

Glucose

• Niacin helps your body make two enzymes that release glucose in the food you eat. Glucose provides energy. This is part of the Krebs cycle, which oxidizes proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Niacin is critical to this important body process.
  
  

Skin

• Niacin can help keep skin healthy. Niacin supplements can ease the symptoms of acne rosacea, which causes reddening of the face, particularly in menopausal women.
  
  

Alcoholism

• Research shows that niacin can help reduce the craving for alcohol in alcoholics.
  
  

Other Health Benefits

• Niacin also helps nerves develop and aids in digestion. Niacin also helps lower the release of histamine, lessening allergic reactions like hayfever, eczema, urticaria and sinusitis. Some studies also show that niacin helps decrease the symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia.
  
  

Deficiency

• Not getting enough niacin can have severe consequences. Signs of niacin deficiency include fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, irritability, headache, emotional instability and memory loss.